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---
title: Sinclair ZX SPECTRUM +3
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1987'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80 A
params:
name: ZX SPECTRUM +3
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_1.jpg
company: /companies/sinclair
company_name: Sinclair
specs:
- label: NAME
value: ZX SPECTRUM +3
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Sinclair
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: United Kingdom
- label: YEAR
value: '1987'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: 48K Spectrum BASIC (compatibility mode) and 128K Spectrum ZX+3 BASIC, integrated with +3 DOS
- label: KEYBOARD
value: |-
Full-stroke keyboard, QWERTY, 58 keys, arrow keys\
TRUE VIDEO, INV VIDEO, DELETE, GRAPH, EXTEND MODE, EDIT, CAPS SHIFT (x2), CAPS LOCK, SYMB SHIFT (x2), BREAK
- label: CPU
value: Zilog Z80 A
- label: SPEED
value: 3.5469 MHz
- label: RAM
value: 128 kb (8 x 16k pages)
- label: ROM
value: 64 kb (4 x 16k pages)
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 32 x 24
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: 256 x 192
- label: COLORS
value: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
- label: SOUND
value: 3 channels, 8 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912)
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 440 x 174 x 50 mm / 1,65 kg
- label: I/O PORTS
value: UHF PAL TV port, Serial interface (RS232) port, Parallel Printer port (8 bit), Auxiliary interface port, RGB Monitor (and PERITEL TV) port, MIDI output port, Two Joystick ports, Audio Out/Cassette port, Second Disk Drive port, Expansion I/O port (full Z80 bus)
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: |-
3'' Hitachi Floppy Disk Drive, single sided (40 track, 9 sector, 512 bytes/sector), CP/M compatible structure\
Volatile RAM Drive
- label: OS
value: +3DOS
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: |-
External PSU (5V @ 2A, +12V @ 700mA, -12V @ 50mA)\
Same as Spectrum +2A/B PSU
- label: PRICE
value: £249 (UK, 1987)
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- software
- emulators
- links
- docs
photos:
- title: SPECTRUM +3
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_2.jpg
- title: TOP VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_above.jpg
- title: FDD CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: This is a 3'' disk-drive, just like the Amstrad CPC-664 and 6128.
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_disk_1.jpg
- title: LEFT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: There are two joystick plugs (Sinclair Interface 2 standard) and a reset button.
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_side-l.jpg
- title: RIGHT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_side-r.jpg
- title: 'RIGHT SIDE #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_side-r_2.jpg
- title: REAR VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From left to right :
\- External disk B bus\
\- Printer bus\
\- PSU (DIN plug)\
\- Expansion I/O bus\
\- RS232/MIDI out socket\
\- AUXiliary socket\
\- Video RGB out (DIN plug) - RF TV out - Tape/Sound output
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_rear_1.jpg
- title: SPECTRUM +3 AND CPC-6128
subtitle: ''
text: Here we have a Sinclair Spectrum +3 next to an Amstrad CPC-6128. They look quite similar (shape, 3'' disk-drive, 2 joystick plugs on their left side). They are obviously related !
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_cpc6128.jpg
- title: 'INSIDE +3 #1'
subtitle: ''
text: |-
An Amstrad hardware design in a Sinclair case
**(1)** Sound output jack plug\
**(2)** TV aerial UHF modulator\
**(3)** RGB output DIN plug\
**(4)** Quartz used to generate the internal clock frequency\
**(5)** AY-8910 Sound generator chip (3 voices, 8 octaves, white noise)\
**(6)** 2 x serial/Midi ports connectors\
**(7)** System and Basic interpreter ROM chips\
**(8)** Z80-A microprocessor (here a Mostec version)\
**(9)** External power supply unit DIN connector\
**(10)** ROM used by the F.D. controler chip (11)\
**(11)** Z80 FCD. Floppy disk controler of the Z80 family chips\
**(12)** Second 64 KB RAM bank (2 x 4464 chips)\
**(13)** Amstrad gate array specialized circuit in charge of various I/O: Joysticks, video, printer, serial ports, keyboard...\
**(14)** First 64 KB RAM bank\
**(15)** Keyboard connectors\
**(16)** Reset switch\
**(17)** 2 x joystick connectors
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B3_inside_1.jpg
- title: 'INSIDE +3 #2'
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Bus / Expansions connector\
**(2)** Parallel printer connector\
**(3)** "Issue 2 - Copyright Amstrad 1987"\
**(4)** Second external F.D. unit connector (could be an Amstrad CPC unit)\
**(5)** Internal 3" F.D. Drive
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_spectrum%2B3_inside_2.jpg
- title: 'BOX #1'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_box_2.jpg
- title: 'BOX #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_box_1.jpg
adverts:
- title: UK ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: |-
November 1987
Special Spectrum offers before christmas period. Packages including a Sinclair joystick and 6 games.
Advert said:\
The new Sinclair ZX Spectrum+3 is a real hero because it helps you to be one.\
The fantastic 128K memory gives you the power to outsmart the most sophisticated ennemy...\
...But the real hero is the person who buy it...
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_spectrumplus3_pub_1.jpg
hardware:
- title: PRINTER SOCKET
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User's doc says :
"The +3 may be used with any Centronics compatible parallel printer. You will require the AMSOFT PL-1 printer interconnecting lead unless you are using an Amstrad DMP range of printers (!).
Although there are only 34 terminations at the +3's printer socket, the pins are numbered 1..17 and 19..35 (with 18 and 36 non-existent) for equivalence with the Centronics socket on the printer itself.
A serial printer should be connected to the RS232/MIDI socket at the back of the +3."
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p2_printer-socket_d.gif
- title: DISK-B SOCKET
subtitle: ''
text: 'User''s doc says : "The AMSTRAD model FD-1 may be added to the +3 system as an additional disk drive. To connect the FD-1 to the +3, you will require the AMSOFT DL-2 disk interconnecting lead."'
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p3_disk-b_d.jpg
- title: RGB VIDEO OUT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_video-rgb_d.jpg
- title: JOYSTICKS SOCKETS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User's doc says :
"*We recommand that you use the Sinclair SJS range of joysticks with the +3. Other types of joystick (eg. Atari) will not operate directly, as their connecting plugs are wired differently.*
*There are two joysticks sockets at the left-hand side of the +3. In general, games use the JOYSTICK 1 socket.*
*If a program offers you a choice of joystick types, then choose the INTERFACE 2 (or SINCLAIR) option, as the +3's joysticks circuitry is designed to work exactly like the INTERFACE 2.*"
In fact, very quickly, Atari joysticks adapter leads were sold !
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_joysticks_d.jpg
- title: TAPE / SOUND SOCKET
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User's doc says :
"*A sound signal is available from the TAPE/SOUND socket at the back of the +3. This is a 3.5mm jack socket producing 200mV pk-pk at approximatively 5 Kohms impedance.*
*A point to note is that the level of sound produced by the BEEP command is set to be the same as that of all three channels of PLAY running at the same time. In practice, this means that BEEP will sound quite a lot louder than PLAY (which may cause problems if sound levels are critical).*"
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_tape-sound_d.jpg
- title: RS232 SOCKET
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_rs232_d.jpg
- title: TAPE LEAD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User documentation says :
"Programs may be loaded from, or saved to tape instead of disk. To connect your cassette unit to the +3, you will require a suitable interconnecting lead, wired as above..."
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p2_tape-sound_d.jpg
- title: MIDI SOCKET
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User's doc says:
"*Although the +3's MIDI socket shares the same socket as the RS232, you will need a different lead for it. The lead should be connected into the "MIDI IN" socket on your synthesizer, drum machine, etc. There is no provision for the +3 to receive MIDI data - it can only act as a source. No setting up of the MIDI is necessary before use (except the inclusion of the Y parameter within the PLAY command to turn it on).*\
*Using the MIDI interface will not disturb the RS232's baud rate setting.*"
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_midi_d.jpg
- title: AUXILIARY INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User's doc says :
"*The AUX (auxiliary interface) socket supports two input lines (pins 3 and 5) and two output lines (pins 2 and 4). The I/O lines are driven by 1488 and 1489 line driver chips which are, in turn, connected to the I/O lines of the AY-3-8912 (see the manufacturer's data sheet for this device). Basically, register 16 of the AY-3-8912 controls eight I/O lines; the bits are designated as above.*
*Using software control loops, the I/O lines could be driven as a second RS232 port (in the same way as the RS232/MIDI socket is driven using bits 2, 3, 6 and 7). Alternatively, the I/O lines could be used to drive, for example, a robot or some other external device.*"
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_aux_d.jpg
- title: EXPANSION BUS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
User's doc says :
"*The +3 can connect to a very wide range of peripherals via the EXPANSION I/O socket at the back of the machine. Although this socket is much the same as on the old-style Spectrum 48k, there is no guarantee that a device which can run correctly on a Spectrum 48k will run on a +3. You should, therefore, before you purchase any expansion device or add-on, verify that it will work with the +3, and not just with a 48k Spectrum.*"
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum-p_expansion_d.jpg
- title: DISCOVERY SYSTEM
subtitle: ''
text: 'The Discovery system uses the new Sony 3.5'''' diskette to save in full safety the programs and data of the Spectrum or Spectrum+. The diskette has a capacity of 180 KB and a second drive can be installed. The commands of the operating system are similar to those of Sinclair Microdrives. The case includes a power supply and various Spectrum expansion connectors. In short, a lot of hardware qualities, but an incomprehensible defect: the data transfer speed is slower than Microdrives, whereas a disk drive is able to be ten times faster than a tape reader. Discovery did not meet success, certainly for this reason, but also because of its high price, not compatible with the Spectrum''s young users'' purse.'
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_fddiscovery_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE DISCOVERY
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Metallic case.\
**(2)** Centronics parallel printer connector.\
**(3)** Spectrum expansion connector.\
**(4)** Discovery to Spectrum connector.\
**(5)** EPROM memory chip holding drive management routines and OS commands.\
**(6)** Sony 3.5'' disc drive. A double side, single density version.\
**(7)** A strange location for the power transformer, under the disk drive and not protected against magnetic fields.\
**(8)** This empty socket receives a 2 Kb. RAM chip when a second disc drive is installed.\
**(9)** 6821 Circuit, in charge of disc drive control.\
**(10)** Each disc drive uses an internal RAM area to avoid using Spectrum RAM.\
**(11)** Atari standard joystick connector.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_fddiscovery_ins.jpg
- title: INSIDE WAFADRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** The Wafadrive unit includes two specially designed cartridge drives.\
**(2)** Each cartridge drive has its own motor and electronic control system.\
**(3)** The Wafadrive offers three expansion ports. Unfortunately, they are not compatible with the Spectrum ones and need special cables.\
**(4)** Centronics parallel printer connector.\
**(5)** Spectrum expansion connector for additional peripherals.\
**(6)** 8 Kb. EPROM holding operating system and Basic drives commands.\
**(7)** The Wafadrive is connected to the Spectrum expansion port. It also uses the computer's power supply.\
**(8)** Power Leds.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_wafadrive_2.jpg
- title: WAFADRIVE CARTRIDGE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_wafadrive_3.jpg
- title: CHEETAH JOYSTICK INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Peter James for the picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_cheetahjoyinterf_1.jpg
- title: KEMPSTON JOYSTICK INTERFACE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Peter says:\
I'm not sure if this was the first joystick interface for the Spectrum but it defined a standard that was never displaced. Most games carried the words 'Kempston joystick compatible' Says it all really! They later revised the interface to offer 2 joystick connectors
Thanks to Peter James for the picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_kempstonjoyinterf_1.jpg
- title: DK'TRONICS SPEECH SYNTHESIZER
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx-spectrum_dktronics-speech_synth_1.jpg
- title: MAGECO MONITOR
subtitle: ''
text: It cost 75fr in january 85 (France).
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_dessas.jpg
- title: VTR VOCAL SYNTHESIZER
subtitle: ''
text: 470fr (France, january 85)
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_vocal.jpg
- title: CURRAH SPEECH
subtitle: Vocal synthesizer
text: Just type on the keys and the Spectrum "speaks" with two tones, high and low. There is also a sofware support.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_vocal2.jpg
- title: CHEETAH SPECDRUM
subtitle: ''
text: |-
About the Specdrum, Peter says:\
This was the most fun add-on I ever bought for the Spectrum. You had to connect it to a phono input on a stereo amp, load up the software and away you went. You could enter the rhythm in real time or step time and it had 8 sounds it could play at once. The sound was perfect and still sounds good today. They released some extra drum kit sounds to expand the Specdrum's sound library, Afro Kit and Electro Kit are the ones I remember and purchased. I don’t think any Spectrum should be without this Add-on, it rocks!!
Price: About £30 around 85-86
Thanks to Peter James for the picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_specdrum_1.jpg
- title: ALPHACOM 32
subtitle: ''
text: 'Alphacom 32 is the well-known and the cheaper printer for the Spectrum, offering exactly the same features as the ZX Printer : full Spectrum characters set, 32 char. / line and silver plated thermal paper. Alphacom 32 uses its own power supply. june 84 price : 181 -E- (France).'
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_alphacom.jpg
- title: FLOYD 40
subtitle: ''
text: 'Floyd 40, from the manufacturer Shiva Marketing, doesn''t seem to be very reliable with its very thin plastic case and its wooden paper axis ! However Floyd features are better than Alphacom ones: use of white thermal paper more readable and less expensive, only one cable to connect it to the Spectrum (power and data) and better printing quality. Moreover, Floyd 40 has larger characters set and printing options : double height and width, text printing in the four directions and more advanced and accurate graphic abilities (5 x 7 dots head). On the other hand, the printing is rather slow and the print width doesn''t exceed 8 cm.'
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_floyd40_1.jpg
- title: ZX-81 THERMAL PRINTER
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is a small thermal printer (of very poor quality !). It can print all the graphical characters of the Spectrum and can print 9 lines of text per inch. It was possible to make a hard copy of the screen thanks to the "Copy" command.
This tiny thermal printer can also be used with the ZX-Spectrum.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_zx81_printer.jpg
- title: ZX THERMAL PRINTER
subtitle: Box
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_zx81_zx-printer_box_1.jpg
- title: ZX INTERFACE 1
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This interface offers an RS232 connector, a Microdrive connector and a network socket to connect up to 64 Spectrums !
This marvel cost 895fr in june 84 (France).
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_intrfc1.jpg
- title: MICRODRIVES
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Sinclair Microdrives for use with the ZX Interface 1. Up to 8 microdrives can be connected.
Micro-tape Capacity: 80k\
Speed: 5k/s\
Average access time: 3,5s\
Integrated power supply (through computer)\
Micro-tape price: 79fr
940fr (June 84)
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_microdrive.jpg
- title: INSIDE A MICRODRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Tape driving roller.\
**(2)** Read/write magnetic head, basically the same as a standard tape recorder.\
**(3)** Read/write protection switch.\
**(4)** Cartridge housing.\
**(5)** Power led.\
**(6)** Extension connector allowing up to 8 microdrives to be serial connected.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_insidemdv_1.jpg
- title: INSIDE A MICRODRIVE CARTRIDGE
subtitle: ''
text: The support used in the cartridge is a videotape of 2 mm in width, and 8 meters in length. The video support was chosen for its biggest mechanical resistance. In running mode, the full tape length is covered in about 7 seconds and the information is transferred at 6 Kb. per second (1.5 Kb./sec. for a standard cassette). The recording is made simultaneously on two parallel tracks with a density of 200 bytes per centimeter. The information is organized in sectors of 512 bytes. Any program can be stored or loaded in 15 sec. Maximum. Each cartridge can store up to 100 Kb, but only 85 - 90 are available for the user.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_insidecartmdv_1.jpg
- title: ZX INTERFACE 2
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This interface offers 2 joystick plugs and 1 cartridge slot.
It cost 351fr in june 84 (France).
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_intrfc2.jpg
- title: CARTRIDGE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
Sinclair Cartridge for use with the ZX Interface 2. Very few cartridges were produced (less than 10).
It cost 185fr in june 84 (France).
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum_cartridge.jpg
- title: NUMERIC KEYPAD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This numenic keypad can be used with the Spectrum +2 and Spectrum 128.
Thanks to **www.zonadepruebas.com**
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_spectrum128_keypad_2.jpg
screenshots:
- title: SPECTRUM +3
subtitle: Boot-screen
text: |-
The Spectrum +3 introduces a new boot-up menu as the ROM as been re-written by Amstrad. Notice that the drives available are listed at the bottom of the screen (A: and B: for disk-drives, and M: for virtual RAM disk) :
\- LOADER to directly load a tape without typing any Basic instructions\
\- +3 BASIC is the BASIC 128 with +3DOS integrated\
\- CALCULATOR acts as a classic calculator mode\
\- 48 BASIC is the old Spectrum Basic left here for compatibility
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_spectrum-p3_ss.gif
- title: DAN DARE III
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/dandare3.gif
- title: DOUBLE DRAGON
subtitle: ''
text: A bit messy...
image: /media/museum/software/doubledragon.gif
- title: DUN DARACH
subtitle: ''
text: The guys are walking so smoothly
image: /media/museum/software/dundarch.gif
- title: ELITE
subtitle: ''
text: The mythic space game ! The father of all other space-games such as Wing-Commander.
image: /media/museum/software/elite.gif
- title: FANTASY WORLD DIZZY
subtitle: ''
text: One of the many games based on the egg-man Dizzy.
image: /media/museum/software/fantasy-world-dizzy.gif
- title: GAUNTLET
subtitle: ''
text: Conversion of the classic arcade game
image: /media/museum/software/gauntlet.gif
- title: GUNFRIGHT
subtitle: ''
text: 3D isometric western game. A must-have !
image: /media/museum/software/gunfright.gif
- title: IKARI WARRIORS
subtitle: ''
text: As good as Commando !
image: /media/museum/software/ikari-warriors.gif
- title: IK+
subtitle: International Karate +
text: 3 players fight
image: /media/museum/software/ikplus.gif
- title: ALIEN 8
subtitle: ''
text: Excellent isometric game
image: /media/museum/software/alien8.gif
- title: ANT ATTACK
subtitle: ''
text: Avoid the giant ants and save the girl in this 3D maze
image: /media/museum/software/antattack.gif
- title: ARC OF YESOD
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/arcofyesod.gif
- title: ATIC ATAC
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/aticatac.gif
- title: BACK TO SKOOL
subtitle: Skooldaze ?
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/backtoskool.gif
- title: BOMBJACK
subtitle: ''
text: Classic game !
image: /media/museum/software/bombjack.gif
- title: BRUCE LEE
subtitle: ''
text: One of the best game ever
image: /media/museum/software/brucelee.gif
- title: CHASE HQ
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/chasehq.gif
- title: CHUCKIE EGG
subtitle: ''
text: Who never played this ??
image: /media/museum/software/chuckie-egg.gif
- title: COMMANDO
subtitle: ''
text: Excellent conversion
image: /media/museum/software/commando.gif
- title: DAILEY'S THOMPSON DECATHLON
subtitle: ''
text: The best olympic game on the Speccy
image: /media/museum/software/dailey-thompson-decathlon.gif
emulators:
- title: EightyOne
url: http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
platform: Windows
text: Excellent emulator emulating nearly all ZX computers (80, 81, Spectrums, Timex, etc.). As well as emulating the machines themselves, numerous addon cards are supported, including hi-res graphics, custom character sets, sound and colour cards.
- title: GLECK
url: HTTP://GLECK.EMUUNLIM.COM
platform: Windows
text: Spectrum emulator. Runs on Windows 95 and up, and requires DirectX. Includes a debugger, and emulates also some Southamerican clones
- title: RealSpectrum
url: http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
platform: Windows
text: complete and innovative Spectrum emulator for DOS and Windows
- title: Spectaculator
url: http://WWW.SPECTACULATOR.COM/
platform: Windows
text: Spectaculator emulates the 16K/48K/128/+2/+2A Spectrums and some additional hardware.
- title: SPIN
url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/emulators.html
platform: Windows
text: Spectrum emulator running on any version of Windows from '95 onward up to and including XP
- title: Warajavo
url: http://www.void.jump.org/warajevo/
platform: Windows
text: an excellent bosnian emulator for PC compatibles by Zeljko Juric (DOS)
- title: X128
url: http://www.void.jump.org/x128/
platform: Windows
text: Spectrum 48 / 128 / +2 / +3 Emulator
- title: ZX-32
url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
platform: Windows
text: Great Win32 Emulator. Very stable, very fast.
- title: MacSpectacle
url: http://little-bat.de/zxsp/download/mac_spectacle/manual.html
platform: Apple
text: One of the most powerful Spectrum emulator
- title: ZXSP
url: http://little-bat.de/zxsp/download/zxsp_mac/zxsp_mac.html
platform: Apple
text: Emulator for PowerMac
- title: Ian's ZX Spectrum page
url: http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/oucl/users/ian.collier/Spectrum/
platform: Unix / Linux
text: the official page of xz80, the emulator for XWindows
- title: xzx
url: http://www.zx-spectrum.net/xzx/
platform: Unix / Linux
text: an other emulator for Linux computers
- title: ASp
url: http://www.greew.freeserve.co.uk/ASp.html
platform: Amiga OS
text: ''
- title: Spec128
url: http://members.tripod.com/~JoeKelleher/Spec128/
platform: RISC OS
text: Emulates a Spectrum 128 for the Acorn
- title: HOB Java Spectrum emulator
url: http://www.twinbee.org/hob/
platform: Other platform
text: Fascinate yourself for hours with this portable Java Spectrum Emulator.
- title: Java On-Line Emulator
url: http://www.zxspec.freeserve.co.uk/java.html
platform: Other platform
text: Plays games on-line !
- title: PocketClive
url: http://pocketclive.emuunlim.com/
platform: Other platform
text: Spectrum 48k and 128k emulator for PocketPC !
- title: QAOP
url: http://wizard.ae.krakow.pl/~jb/qaop/
platform: Other platform
text: Qaop is a ZX Spectrum emulator Java applet
- title: Sinclair Spectrum Emulator 1.1
url: http://www.palmtop.nl/ce/hpc_spectrum.html
platform: Other platform
text: Handheld PCs and Palm-size PCs running Windows CE 2.0 or higher
- title: TEZXAS
url: http://tezxas.ticalc.org/
platform: Other platform
text: ZX Spectrum emulator for TI 89 and 92 calculators !
- title: ZX68
url: http://zx68.8k.com
platform: Other platform
text: Emulator for various 68000 based machines. First version is released for PalmOS
- title: FUSE
url: http://fuse-emulator.sourceforge.net/
platform: Multiplatform
text: Fuse (the Free Unix Spectrum Emulator) is a ZX Spectrum emulator for Unix and MacOS X
- title: SPEC
url: http://WWW.METHEDRINE.DEMON.CO.UK/spec.html
platform: Multiplatform
text: Spec is a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k emulator for the PC. There are two different versions, Spec (freeware for DOS) and SpecX (Shareware for Windows 95/98/NT4).
links:
- title: CRASH, the on-line edition
url: http://www.crashonline.org.uk/
text: Site dedicated to the old well-known magazine
- title: DOCUMENTATION
url: http://www.madhippy.com/8-bit/index.php?machine=sinclair
text: Classic 8-bit Computers / lot of on-line documentations for Sinclair computers. USEFUL !
- title: DOCUMENTATION
url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/documentation.html#manuals
text: World of Spectrum's documentation page
- title: Good Old Games
url: http://speccy.altervista.org/
text: ZX games and screenshots
- title: Las Spectrum y TK en el Uruguay
url: http://WWW.Z80.UY.TC
text: The story of the ZX Spectrum line and TK line in Uruguay, South America
- title: Number Cruncher
url: http://www.8bit-museum.de/
text: This german website has an excellent Sinclair section
- title: Planet Sinclair
url: http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
text: THE site to visit ! Everything you need.
- title: Sinclair Nostalgia Products
url: http://surf.to/zx
text: Lot of speccy stuff here and long list of clones
- title: Sinclair ZX Hardware Website
url: http://www.xs4all.nl/~echorod/zx/index.htm
text: Features designs to build your own Sinclair computer
- title: Software Records on Vinyl
url: 'http://www.kempa.com/blog/archives/000053.html '
text: These records contained computer programs as part of the audio.
- title: Speccy.com.ar
url: http://www.speccy.com.ar/
text: Argentine blog dedicated to the Spectrum
- title: Speccyalista
url: HTTP://WWW.SINCLAIR.HU
text: Hungarian Sinclair page
- title: Spectrum Screenshot Heaven
url: http://members.tripod.com/ssh_web/
text: Excellent ! Plenty of speccy screenshots here.
- title: Speecy.CZ
url: http://www.speccy.cz/
text: Nice site with a lot of games, demos, maps, screenshots, cover arts, music, etc...
- title: Steve's Spectrum Page
url: http://ireland.iol.ie/~sjones/
text: Steve collects speccy games and accept requests
- title: Tape Loader Home Page
url: http://perso.club-internet.fr/jgibart/spectl/spectl.html
text: Utility to transfer your zx tapes to the PC
- title: The Incomplete Spectrum ROM Assembly
url: http://www.wearmouth.demon.co.uk/
text: Spectrum ROM assembly text file. Very useful if you want to create your version of the Spectrum Operating System
- title: The Ocean Experience
url: http://www.theoceanexperience.cjb.net/
text: A look into one of the biggest games developers of the 80's and 90's
- title: The Tipshop
url: http://www.the-tipshop.co.uk/
text: A central archive for all Spectrum and SAM games hints, tips, cheats, maps, hacks and pokes. Impressive!
- title: The World of ZX-Spectrum
url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
text: This is it. The site you MUST visit first :-)
- title: Virtual TR-DOS
url: HTTP://ZX.DA.RU
text: Belarussian ZX-soft archive (in Russian)
- title: Your Sinclair, a celebration
url: http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
text: Tribute to one of the best Spectrum dedicated magazine
- title: z00m's Speccy corner
url: http://zoom.czweb.org/
text: DOCUMENTATION, PICTURES, emulators, AY CHIP
- title: ZX Download page
url: http://zxfiles.hut2.ru/
text: The very best of new ZX Spectrum games both Europe and ex-USSR
- title: ZX Forever
url: http://www.zx-f.ru/
text: Full with new Russian ZX Spectrum games (lots of them are in English language)
- title: ZX Spectrum Games after 1993
url: http://tarjan.uw.hu/zx_gamez_after_93_en.htm
text: Nice article referencing ZX Spectrum games released after 1993!
- title: ZX Spectrum in the 21st Century
url: http://tarjan.uw.hu/zxclones_en.htm
text: Nice info about a lot of ZX Spectrum clones and hardware
- title: ZXSPECTICLE
url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
text: News, Reviews, Interviews and the A to Z top ten games
- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
text: Sinclair computers
docs:
- title: ZX SPECTRUM BASIC PROGRAMMING
url: http://www.1000bit.it/support/manuali/sinclair/zxspectrum/start.htm
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/sinclair_zx-specrtum_basic-programming.jpg
text: |-
[**ZX SPECTRUM BASIC PROGRAMMING**](http://www.1000bit.it/support/manuali/sinclair/zxspectrum/start.htm)written by Steven Vickers
 compiled/archived by Chris Owen / Tiziano Garuti\
 type of document : HTML\
 source : [1000Bit](http://www.1000bit.net/)
- title: ZX SPECTRUM INTRODUCTORY MANUAL
url: http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ZXSpectrumIntroduction/
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/sinclair_zx_spectrum_introductory-manual.jpg
text: |-
[**ZX SPECTRUM INTRODUCTORY MANUAL**](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ZXSpectrumIntroduction/)written by Steven Vickers and Robin Bradbeer
 compiled/archived by Colin Woodcock\
 type of document : HTML\
 source : [www.worldofspectrum.org](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/faq/resources/documents.htm)
- title: ZX SPECTRUM SERVICE MANUAL
url: http://members.lycos.co.uk/eightbitula/48kinfo.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/sinclair_zx-specrtum_service-manual.jpg
text: |-
[**ZX SPECTRUM SERVICE MANUAL**](http://members.lycos.co.uk/eightbitula/48kinfo.html)written by Sinclair Research Limited
 type of document : HTML\
 source : [The Lil Old Sinclair Computer Technical Information Repository](http://members.lycos.co.uk/eightbitula/)
comments:
- author: Scott Vodrey (UK)
date: Monday 26th August 2013
text: There was a test mode built into all Spectrum +3 computers and could be accessed by pressing the reset button and while the system is going through the motions, press and hold down the Q,A,Z,P,L and M keys together in 1 go.
- author: rj (ulster uk)
date: Tuesday 22nd November 2011
text: |-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v$EmwW_6kUdHw
please post this link to youtube\
hope yu can find your way to the real great sam sites on the net
- author: david yuill (glasgow uk)
date: Sunday 3rd July 2011
text: hi this is for dave for disk based gamjes just press the enter key to go into loader and for tape go to 128k basic and type in load""
- author: Marcus (England)
date: Friday 28th January 2011
text: Look at worldofspectrum or spectrum world and you will able to download loads of documents and stuff !!
- author: dave (england)
date: Wednesday 9th February 2005
text: hello ive recently bought my old +3 out of my loft to have a go but i was unable to load any games as ive forgotten what to type to use it? so if anyone still knows id be gratefull if they could tell me thankyou dave.
related:
- /museum/czerweny-cz-2000
- /museum/czerweny-spectrum
- /museum/czerweny-spectrum-plus
- /museum/elwro-800-junior
- /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum
- /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128
- /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-2
- /museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-480
oc_id: 222
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230522171923/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=222
date: '2023-05-22'
---
The Sinclair Spectrum +3 is the successor of the [Spectrum +2](/museum/nano-sks-2500/), marketed one year earlier.
Just like the Spectrum+2 is a mix between the [Spectrum 128](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128/) and the [Amstrad CPC-464](/museum/amstrad-cpc-464/), the Spectrum +3 is a mix between the Spectrum 128 and the [Amstrad CPC-6128](/museum/amstrad-cpc-6128/). Indeed it has 3’’ disk-drive built-in the right-hand side of the case and a « real » full-stroke keyboard, just like the CPC-6128.
After the launch of the first Amstrad « Sinclair computer », the Spectrum +2, they redesigned the motherboard and the content of the ROMs to produce the Spectrum +2A/B and +3. They also made some internal changes on the bus and removed the keypad scanning routines of the Spectrum 128 and +2 (remember the keypad sold with the [Spanish Spectrum 128k](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128/)).
As on the Spectrum +2, two BASIC versions are implemented : the 48k BASIC to remain compatible with the original [Sinclair Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum/), and the 128k BASIC which was already introduced with the Spectrum 128.
As with the others 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 65536 bytes, the 128kb RAM is not directly usable (unless with bank-switching routines), but can be used as a RAM disk (drive M :).
So, the big change is the built-in 3’’ disk drive, exactly the same as the CPC-6128’s drive. The operating system is called +3DOS and was developed by Locomotive Software Ltd who also conceived the CPC Basics and OS. So, of course, the +3DOS is very close to the CPCs disk operating system. The Amstrad FD-1 external drive can even be used with the Spectrum +3 as a second disk drive by connecting it directly to "DISK B PORT" at the back of the system.
The Spectrum +3 is considered the ultimate Spectrum model, gathering all the good points of the previous spectrum machines : 128k, convenient full-stroke keyboard, 3’’ built-in disk drive, 128k Basic, RAM disk, many interfaces... But sadly it was launched too late, at a time where the ST and the Amiga were already fighting on the shelves. It was the last official Sinclair Spectrum model ever made. The **+2A** and **+2B** models vere launched a little later, but were just a revision of the +2 model already marketed.
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